Conservation commission advises favorably on plan to convert Old Island Pub to employee housing, with water-stipulation

Tara McGregor, chair of the New Shoreham Conservation Commission, said the panel would give a favorable advisory to the zoning board for an application by Thomas Martucci to change the use of the Old Island Pub (Lewis Plot 6, Lot 33) into an inn for employee housing, provided the applicant obtains confirmation from the town water supplier and keeps exterior lighting minimal.

The advisory matters because the proposal would increase overnight occupancy and add bathrooms on a parcel inside town-served areas where water allotment is a local concern. Commissioners said they wanted written assurance from the water company that the proposed occupancy and plumbing changes are acceptable before zoning acts on the special-use permit.

Applicant Thomas Martucci told the commission he plans to apply for a special-use permit to operate the property as an inn, which would allow up to 10 bedrooms under zoning rules. He said the architect’s plans included bunk beds and a third-floor dormer; the layout, he said, could create potential capacity much higher than the current restaurant use, though Martucci said he expects to house roughly 20 full-time hourly employees plus four salaried staff in separate rooms. "I've been looking for employee housing for over a year," Martucci said, and presented the change of use as a way to provide safer, sprinklered accommodations closer to town.

Commissioners pressed on water demand and allotment. Commissioner Sue Giddens asked whether Martucci had contacted the water company; commissioners noted the town typically needs to confirm available gallons-per-unit when occupancy or fixture counts change. McGregor proposed — and the commission approved — a favorable advisory to the zoning board with a stipulation that the applicant supply written confirmation from the water company that the proposed use is acceptable. Commissioners also asked that exterior lighting be minimal and directed straight downward, consistent with the town’s lighting preferences. The Heritage (HCC) had already approved the dormer; Cindy Lasser (HCC) was reported to have expressed support for the dormer while raising other lighting concerns that the applicant agreed to address.

The action is advisory: zoning retains authority to grant or deny the special-use permit and building permits. Applicant Thomas Martucci said he would follow up with the water company and the commission asked staff to note the water-confirmation stipulation in the advisory to zoning. Chair Tara McGregor moved the favorable advisory; the motion was seconded and approved by the commission.